These days, due to the pandemic, most of us are hanging out in stretch pants, not bothering with makeup or jewelry, myself included. What is this doing to our mental health? I’m going to try to follow my 91 year old grandmother’s example at least a few days a week. She rarely leaves the house, but almost daily (unless she is really not feeling well) dresses in her silk scarves colorful blouses and sparkly jewelry. Why not? It makes her feel better and brings back memories of where her necklace came from, the family member who bought her favorite scarf, etc. Caring about your appearance and the appearance of your home definitely promotes good mental health. So, break out the fine China, curl your hair and put on your fanciest sparkling jewelry and see how you feel and what memories spark fresh conversation at the dinner table.
What inspires you?
For many of us travel is a favorite means of inspiration. We wander through ancient streets, gardens and museums to explore the amazing architecture, patterns, plants, paintings, and sculptures that strike us with awe as we imagine the creative minds behind it all. As we explore, all of our senses are involved in creating moments and memories that inspire us in different ways. Perhaps a memory of a favorite meal with a beautiful view, the salty smell of the ocean air and live music inspires you to come up with a delicious meal to share with your family and friends. Or perhaps you are inspired to paint the colors, shapes and movement of an experience, like for example, taking a gondola through the canals of Venice.
We all miss travel right now, but most of us can still get outside and there is unlimited inspiration in nature. In fact, the natural landscape of the area you live in is a great place to start to create a timeless interior space. The sky itself is ever changing with colors and texture. Each flower is a complex combination of color, texture and aroma. Stop and listen to the live concert of birds and watch the rhythm of the rain on the lake. We love using the view outside to set the tone of a beautiful interior. Inspiration is everywhere. The trick is knowing how to celebrate nature in the interior spaces without competing with it and that’s what a great interior designer can help you do.
Friend or Faux
Let’s start with fabric. With all the man-made options out there, it can be overwhelming sometimes when it comes to picking a fabric for your space. Let me break down some of the basic fibers into something we all can relate to…people (relationships). Linen is like a best friend, pure, strong and loyal. It’s ready to defend against any dirt said about you (as its anti-microbial). Linen will have your back through thick and thin and stay beautiful through it all, you just might have to iron out some wrinkles now and then, but really they are part of the natural beauty. Cotton is soft and cozy. It makes you feel secure and comfortable, but gives you room to breath. You love it so much you excuse small imperfections. Rayon is good in mixed company (especially mixed with Linen and cotton), strong and versatile. Polyester cleans up well, but doesn’t know how to hang, not enough substance. Pretends to be something it’s not (silk for example) and has gotten better at it, but honestly is a little toxic and can melt under pressure. Wool is dependable and strong, always has your back and will help put out the flames and wipe the tears away (wicks away moister and is self extinguishing). Silk is the friend that just makes you feel good. She is light and airy and so soft. She will be around for a very long time if you treat her like she treats you, but one wrong move and she’s gone for good. Got it?
Well, unfortunately just like relationships, its more complicated than that. Different situations call for different fibers. Fibers such as Belgian Linen and Mohair are pretty much indestructible and of course natural, so they will not pollute your environment, but are very costly so they are often not practical for large installations such as an entire sofa. Then, there are families with kids and dogs that are going to make a mess, therefor cleanable fabric becomes king. Performance fabrics such as Polyester, and brands like Crypton that have stain resistance built into every fiber are becoming more and more popular for upholstery as they are just plain practical for families and necessary for commercial spaces. Then there’s bedding, which 100% should always be breathable, natural cotton or linen. Sleep is when your body is restoring itself, so keep the chemicals out of your bed and keep yourself and your loved ones heathy! Just do your research and weigh the pros and cons and possible environmental concerns before you invest in your space…Or just hire a good designer.
Interior Motives
I’m often asked where did we get the name Interior Motives. The truth is, a witty friend of ours came up with it and we thought it was a good idea. However, the more we work with our clients the more we understand the true meaning behind the name. Our motives are to create an environment or interior for our clients which is not only beautiful, but improves the quality of their physical and mental health as well as expressing their individual personalities. Needless to say this is not a click it and fix it experience. So, I have decided to create this blog, not as a DIY Resource, but a place to learn why and when you should invest in quality products and designs that will not only create a beautiful impact in your home but also improve the mood of everyone in your family and possibly improve their health. Ultimately, why you should invest in an Interior Designer.